The fastest way to delete multiple rows at once

To delete several rows in Excel, select all the rows you want to remove, right-click, and choose Delete. Excel removes them when ready and shifts the remaining rows up to close the gap. This works whether the rows are next to each other or scattered throughout your sheet.

The method changes slightly depending on whether your rows are consecutive or spread apart. Consecutive rows take one click to select. Scattered rows require you to hold Ctrl (or Command on Mac) while clicking each one. Either way, the deletion step is identical.

Key Takeaways

  • Click the row number on the left to select an entire row, then Shift+click another row number to select all rows between them.
  • Hold Ctrl (or Command on Mac) and click individual row numbers to select rows that are not next to each other.
  • Right-click any selected row number and choose Delete to remove all selected rows at once.
  • Deleted rows cannot be undone after you save the file, so use Ctrl+Z when ready if you delete the wrong rows.

Selecting consecutive rows

If the rows you want to delete sit next to each other, select them by clicking the first row number on the left side of the sheet, then holding Shift and clicking the last row number. Excel highlights all rows in between in blue. For example, to delete rows 5 through 12, click the number 5 on the left edge, hold Shift, and click 12.

You can also click and drag from the first row number to the last, which works the same way. The row numbers themselves turn blue when selected, making it straightforward to see exactly which rows you are about to delete before you commit to the action.

Selecting rows that are not next to each other

When the rows you need to delete are scattered across your sheet, use Ctrl+click (or Command+click on Mac). Click the first row number, then hold Ctrl and click each additional row number you want to remove. Excel adds each one to your selection without removing the previous ones.

This method works for any number of rows in any order. You might select row 3, then row 7, then row 15, all in one selection. The row numbers turn blue as you add them, so you can verify your selection before deleting.

Deleting the selected rows

Once you have selected all the rows you want to remove, right-click any of the highlighted row numbers. A menu appears with several options. Click Delete to remove the rows. Excel closes the gap when ready — rows below the deleted ones shift upward to fill the space.

You can also use the menu bar: click Home (or Edit on Mac), then find the Delete button in the ribbon. Look for a dropdown arrow next to it and choose Delete Rows. The result is identical to right-clicking.

Undoing a deletion if you made a mistake

If you delete the wrong rows, press Ctrl+Z (or Command+Z on Mac) when ready to undo. Excel restores the deleted rows to their original position. This works as long as you have not saved the file yet.

After you save, undo is no longer available — the deletion becomes permanent. For this reason, it is worth taking a moment to verify your selection before you right-click and delete, especially if you are removing many rows at once.

Deleting rows based on a condition

If you need to delete rows that match a specific pattern — for example, all rows where a column is blank, or all rows with a certain date — you can use AutoFilter to show only those rows, then delete them all at once. Click any cell in your data, then go to Data in the menu and click AutoFilter. Dropdown arrows appear in the header row.

Click the dropdown arrow in the column you want to filter by. Uncheck the values you want to keep, leaving only the rows you want to delete visible. Then select all the visible data rows (not the header), right-click, and delete. When you turn off the filter, only the rows you kept remain. This is much faster than deleting rows one at a time when you have dozens or hundreds to remove.

What happens to formulas and references after deletion

If other cells in your sheet contain formulas that reference the deleted rows, Excel updates those formulas automatically. For example, if a cell contains =SUM(A1:A10) and you delete row 5, the formula becomes =SUM(A1:A9) and recalculates. If a formula references a cell in a deleted row directly, it shows an error like #REF! instead.

Before you delete rows, scan your sheet for formulas that might depend on them. You can find formulas by pressing Ctrl+` (backtick), which shows all formulas in the sheet instead of their results. This helps you spot potential problems before deletion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete rows without selecting them one by one?

Yes. If the rows are consecutive, select the first and last row using Shift+click, then delete all at once. If they match a pattern, use AutoFilter to show only the rows you want to delete, then select and delete them all together. Both methods are much faster than deleting individually.

What if I accidentally delete rows and then save the file?

Once you save, the deletion is permanent and cannot be undone. Always press Ctrl+Z when ready after deleting if you made a mistake, before saving. If you have already saved, you may be able to recover the file using your spreadsheet process's version history or file recovery feature, depending on your setup.

Do deleted rows affect the row numbers of the rows below?

Yes. When you delete rows, all rows below them shift upward and their row numbers change. For example, if you delete rows 5 and 6, what was row 7 becomes row 5. This is why formulas that reference specific rows may need updating after a large deletion.

Can I delete rows based on the content of a cell?

Yes, using AutoFilter. Turn on AutoFilter, click the dropdown in the column containing the content you want to filter by, uncheck the values you want to keep, and delete the visible rows. This is faster and more reliable than manually finding and deleting rows one at a time.